Radioprotective effects of Silymarin on the sperm parameters of NMRI mice irradiated with γ-rays

Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated using various endogenous systems or from external sources such as exposure to different physiochemicals. Ionizing radiation damage to the cell can be caused by the direct or indirect effects of radiotherapy processes. Silymarin (SM), a flavanolignan compound, has been identified as a natural potent antioxidant with cytoprotection activities due to scavenging free radicals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the radioprotective effect of SM on sperm parameters of mice induced by γ-rays. A total number of 40 adult, male NMRI mice were randomly divided into four equal groups. The control group was neither treated with SM nor irradiated by γ-rays. The second group was only irradiated with 2 Gy of γ-rays. The third group was firstly treated with 50 mg/kg of SM for 7 consecutive days, and one day later, last injections were irradiated by 2 Gy of γ-rays. The fourth groups received only 50 mg/kg of SM for 7 consecutive days. All the animals were treated intraperitoneally. Histopathological and morphometrical examinations were performed. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. The results showed that in the radiation-only group when compared with those treated with SM and irradiated, a significant different was observed in testicular parameters and DNA damage (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SM can be considered as a promising herbal radioprotective agent in complementary medicine which may play an important role to protect normal spermatocytes against possible effects of γ-radiation-induced cellular damage

Nocturia: a bothersome urological symptom in the elderly

Bahram Shekarchi,&nbsp;Mohammad Zamani Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IranWe read with great interest the valuable study by Shao et al,1 which has been recently published in Clinical Interventions in Aging. The authors mentioned the nocturia as a negative factor, leading to a problem in the sleep status and the daily function of the patients who suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms.View original paper by Shao and colleagues

A study of viewpoints of students and faculty members of Tehran Imam Reza Hospital (AS) on mission and how to do morning reports

Introduction : In this study, we examined viewpoints of students and faculty members on mission and method of morning report and offer some strategies for increasing quality and efficiency of morning report using a questionnaire based on some fundamental questions. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 45 students and faculty members of teaching & research in Imam Reza Hospital. The participants responded to the nine-item survey questionnaire about how they implement morning reports. Results: The majority of instructors and trainers (%66) reported evidence-based practice as the most important need that should be debated in morning reports while the majority of students (%58) reported diagnostic evaluation in response to the question. The majority of trainers and instructors (%41) told that the appropriate chairperson of morning reports is a specialist, while the majority of students suggested sub-specialists. Conclusion: Students and faculty members had different views about the purpose and discussion focus of morning report. There was different views about who should take the responsibility to conduct the meetings. Most students and faculty members agree that the educational message for the morning session is the best method of internal monitoring. They also reported that the best way to evaluate students by trainers is mastery of students on presentations and their contents

Measurement of the contralateral breast photon and thermal neutron doses in breast cancer radiotherapy: A comparison between physical and dynamic wedges

This research aimed to measure the received photon and thermal neutron doses to contralateral breast (CB) in breast cancer radiotherapy for various field sizes in presence of physical and dynamic wedges. The measurement of photon and thermal neutron doses was carried out on right breast region of RANDO phantom (as CB) for 18MV photon beams. The dose measurements were performed by thermoluminescent dosimeter chips. These measurements obtained for various field sizes in presence of physical and dynamic wedges. The findings of this study showed that the received doses (both of the photon and thermal neutron) to CB in presence of physical wedge for 11 � 13, 11 � 17 and 11 � 21 cm2 field sizes were 5.92, 6.36 and 6.77 of the prescribed dose, respectively as well as for dynamic wedge were 2.92, 4.63 and 5.60 of the prescribed dose, respectively. The results showed that the received photon and thermal neutron doses to CB increase with increment of field sizes. The received photon and thermal neutron doses to CB in presence of physical wedge were more than dynamic wedge. According to obtained findings, it is suggested that using a dynamic wedge is preferable than physical wedge, especially for medial tangential field. © The Author 2017

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT angiography for evaluation of coronary artery and comparative analysis of the DSCT angiography of the internal carotid artery plaque with the histopathological specimens

The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a dual-source CT (DSCT) coronary angiography in parallel with a CT angiography. On the other hand, we compared the DSCT angiography of the internal carotid artery plaque with the histopathological specimens. Ninety patients underwent DSCT and an invasive coronary angiography (ICA). All segments were analyzed at 60 and 70 of R-R interval initially. After finding the reconstruction interval, image quality was divided for each coronary segment on the four-point Likert scale. Also, of these patients, 30 cases that had neurological symptoms and carotid arteries also were evaluated. The degree of stenosis was assessed according to the North American Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) criteria. A patient-specific analysis revealed that the method sensitivity was 98.59 , specificity was 94.7 , positive predictive value (PPV) was 98.57 , negative predictive value (NPV) was 95 , and accuracy was 97.7 . Also, the kappa statistics did show high values in agreement with the histopathological findings (type III k = 0.82, types IV�V = 0.86, type VI = 0.81, type VII = 0.88, and type VIII = 0.67). Our results suggest that the DSCT has a high diagnostic accuracy for the evaluation of CAD and could demonstrate a high correlation between non-invasive imaging findings with DSCT and histopathological specimens. © 2015, Springer-Verlag London

Measurement of the contralateral breast photon and thermal neutron doses in breast cancer radiotherapy: A comparison between physical and dynamic wedges

This research aimed to measure the received photon and thermal neutron doses to contralateral breast (CB) in breast cancer radiotherapy for various field sizes in presence of physical and dynamic wedges. The measurement of photon and thermal neutron doses was carried out on right breast region of RANDO phantom (as CB) for 18MV photon beams. The dose measurements were performed by thermoluminescent dosimeter chips. These measurements obtained for various field sizes in presence of physical and dynamic wedges. The findings of this study showed that the received doses (both of the photon and thermal neutron) to CB in presence of physical wedge for 11 � 13, 11 � 17 and 11 � 21 cm2 field sizes were 5.92, 6.36 and 6.77 of the prescribed dose, respectively as well as for dynamic wedge were 2.92, 4.63 and 5.60 of the prescribed dose, respectively. The results showed that the received photon and thermal neutron doses to CB increase with increment of field sizes. The received photon and thermal neutron doses to CB in presence of physical wedge were more than dynamic wedge. According to obtained findings, it is suggested that using a dynamic wedge is preferable than physical wedge, especially for medial tangential field. © The Author 2017

Effectiveness of tissue engineered three-dimensional bioactive graft on bone healing and regeneration: an in vivo study with significant clinical value

Several strategies have been used to promote bone repair, with many failing due to the lack of osteoinduction. This report describes an approach for promoting bone healing that attempts to overcome prior shortcomings. First, the role was compared of different concentrations of gelatine (Gel), nanostructured-hydroxyapatite (nHA), simvastatin (Sim) and nHA-Sim particles on healing of small femoral bone defects in rabbits. The effective concentration of each was studied, and then a three-dimensional porous scaffold was designed using Gel, nHA and Sim, which was then cross-linked with genipin. Morphology, degradation profile and Sim delivery properties of the scaffolds were evaluated in vitro. Then, the scaffolds were subcutaneously tested in vivo to determine their biocompatibility, biodegradability and osteogenic properties. Finally, the scaffolds were implanted in a large radial bone defect model in rabbits and their effect on bone regeneration was investigated. The Gel, nHA and Sim with concentrations of 1, 1 and 5 mg/femoral hole were effective during bone healing respectively, and the Sim showed the most osteoinduction and osteoconduction when compared to controls. The Gel-Sim and Gel-nHA-Sim scaffolds continuously and homogenously released Sim into the simulated body fluid in vitro. Subcutaneously, the scaffolds were biocompatible, biodegradable and able to produce ectopic bone after 30 days. Thirty and 60 days after implantation of the scaffolds in radial bone defects, they were completely degraded and replaced with the new bone that had significantly superior morphology, mineral density, bioelectrical, biophysical and micromechanical properties compared with controls. Such bioactive grafts may be a suitable option for bone reconstruction, healing and repair